For San Diego FC, it's been a banner expansion season. They have clinched a playoff spot and sit atop the Western Conference table with three matches remaining.

Now the trick is to stay atop the West and perhaps win the Supporters' Shield that goes to MLS' top regular-season squad. San Diego will look for three points on Saturday night when it hosts the desperate San Jose Earthquakes.

San Diego (17-8-6, 57 points) is coming off a 1-1 draw on Sept. 20 at Atlanta in which the visitors took a 1-0 halftime lead on Anders Dreyer's 32nd-minute goal. However, a penalty kick after halftime tied the score, and San Diego wound up with a tie after getting outshot 17-7.

"I think we're fortunate to come out with a point," San Diego coach Mikey Varas said. "That's part of the learning process. And we

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